12 June 2006

Secretary General visits former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia(1) Multimedia High resolution photos Opinion Speech by NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia(1) NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer visited Skopje on 12 June, the first of a round of visits to the three countries that are part of NATO’s Membership Action Plan. Mr. De Hoop Scheffer met with President Branko Crvenkovski, Prime Minister Vlado Buckovski, Foreign Minister Ilinka Mitreva and Defence Minister Jovan Manasijevski. Discussions focused on the country’s progress in defence and police reforms, as well as other aspects of the Membership Action Plan. The Secretary General also held a speech at the University of Saints Cyril and Methodius. Mr. De Hoop Scheffer will visit Croatia and Albania, the other two members of the Membership Action Plan, in the coming weeks. Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.